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New Pesach Resource: Reproductive Justice Haggadah Insert

The themes of Passover have broad resonance with many of the most critical social justice causes of the day: reading about Israelite slavery reminds us of those who are not free today, focusing on our food calls our attention to those who are hungry and hearing about forced labor in Egypt brings our attention to [...]

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Intermarriage Makes a Better Jew and Jewish Professional

My name is Rachel Jurisz-Singh. Some of you know me by the name I use professionally – Jurisz – which is actually my maiden name. Yes, I am intermarried and my family is interracial too. Growing up I never thought I would choose to marry outside of my faith. I was always involved in my [...]

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Challah Recipe Creates Holiday Memories

As I was leaving the JCC one night after a meeting where we discussed, among other things, how to reach new populations, I received a text from my son. Since he often sends me pictures of the cutest, most adorable, smartest grandchild on earth, I immediately read the message which said, “Ma, do we have [...]

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A Gift for Governor Brown

By: Denny Norris Yom Kippur afternoon was winding to a close. There was a buzz of expectancy in the air since the High Holidays Contemporary Issues Forum wouldn’t be the usual panel discussion or featured congregant. Instead, Rabbi Laura Geller had reached out to California’s Governor Jerry Brown and asked him to speak about the state of [...]

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Of Matzah Balls and Memories

I stood in front of the open refrigerator door, peering intently inside as if the multi-layered plastic containers filled with left-overs were going to give me the answer to my question. THE question, of course.. the one I had asked myself every morning this week. What will I take to work for lunch? The brisket [...]

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So Much More than an Orange on the Seder Plate

Several years ago, I did an interview for Jewish Women International (JWI) (To Remember the Enslaved of Our Time) related to Passover and social justice. Having recently stumbled upon it again, I think many of the sentiments I expressed continue to ring true. Working for a Jewish women’s organization, many of my meetings and conference [...]

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Miriam’s Cup

By Daphne Price For so many of us, the seder is a multi-generational event. As I look around my own table, I sit in awe that there are three generations of men and women, boys and girls who participate. For so many of us, the first night of Passover is all about filling the seder [...]

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Reflecting the Rituals of Passover

By Judith O. Rosenkranz In Tsav, the Torah portion for this week, we are told of the detailed preparations that are underway for the dedication of the Tabernacle and the installation of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood. We are told what is to be sacrificed, how it is to be done, and what [...]

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A Passover Tale of Four WRJ Daughters

Shalom Sisters, This is my tale of four WRJ daughters: The wise one, the wicked one, the simple one, and the young one. The wise daughter wants to know about WRJ and what it does, because she wants to be a member. Unto her I say, “WRJ started in 1913 when 156 women from fifty-two [...]

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